Appendix 3Western Sydney International Airport site inspection

1.1On Tuesday 29 October 2024, the committee conducted a site inspection of Western Sydney (Nancy Bird-Walton) International Airport (WSI). Senator the Hon Carol Brown and Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie were welcomed by Western Sydney Airport Corporation Chief Executive, Mr Simon Hickey, and staff. A short presentation was made which focused on some of the benefits that a completed WSI would bring, including:

increased aviation capacity;

improved air freight capacity for NSW and Australia;

creating job opportunities in Western Sydney;

increased contribution to Australia's GDP; and

opening up different and increased tourism opportunities across the Sydney basin and the state.

1.2The committee was told that the airport is on track to open as scheduled in late 2026. The runway is complete, and the airport is expected to soon move to Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) before completion of major airport construction (terminal and cargo areas). Important ground transport infrastructure, such as the Metro Station and the M12 gateway, are also expected to be completed prior to the opening, although these are projects managed by the NSW Government.

1.3The committee was taken on a tour of the runway and an external viewing of the terminal construction zone. Mr Hickey told the committee that the preferred operators to operate the freight/cargo part of the airport—Qantas and Menzies—have been announced and contracted. Mr Hickey also explained some of the efficiencies that have been embedded in the new airport that should result in significant operating efficiencies. He also detailed the features that would mitigate aircraft noise impacts on the closest community of Luddenham.

Source: Secretariat photograph.

Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, Western Sydney Airport Corporation Chief Executive, Mr Simon Hickey, and staff.

Source: Secretariat photograph.

1.4On behalf of the committee, Senators Brown and McKenzie thanked Mr Hickey and his staff for hosting the site inspection.